Manitoba Wildfire Support

Resources

Manitoba Wildfire Service
This is the province’s central hub for wildfire information, including:

• Daily wildfire situation reports
• Interactive wildfire and fire danger maps
• Fire and travel restrictions
• Municipal burning restrictions

Visit the Manitoba Wildfire Service
 
Manitoba Emergency Management Organization (EMO)

Provides guidance on wildfire preparedness and response, including:

• Evacuation planning
• Emergency kits
• Business continuity planning

Visit Manitoba EMO
 
Disaster Financial Assistance (DFA) for Small Businesses & Farms

The DFA program offers financial support to small businesses, farms, non-profits, local authorities, and residents affected by natural disasters, such as wildfires, floods, or severe storms.

Learn more about DFA
 
Mitigation Funding

Provides a list of funding opportunities that can help reduce the impact of future disaster events. These opportunities may be available to local authorities, non-profit organizations, small businesses, individuals, Indigenous communities, and northern affairs.

Explore Mitigation Funding

Tax Deferrals

Business in Manitoba that are affected by the wildfires are eligible for relief of their provincially administered tax payments, including the Retail Sales Tax and the Health and Post-Secondary Education tax levy. Businesses can request a waiver of penalties and interest when they are reasonably able to file and pay their taxes. 

Manitoba Finance

For your house/personal

Home Insurance

Just like business insurance, you will want to get in touch with your home insurance provider to ensure that your house is covered for wildfire damage. This is much more common to be included in home insurance, however, it is always best to confirm. Additionally, if you have not catalogued good in your house that you would like insured (that you would not be able to bring with you in an evacuation), now is a good time to do so. Take a picture of the item and receipt (if available) and write a description.

Emergency Evacuation Plan

Wildfires can move fast. If you have kids, pets or a significant other, it is important to have an emergency evacuation plan in place, including: multiple evacuation routes planned (should one be closed), a house exit strategy, plus “ditch kits” (i.e., an overnight bag prepared in case you need to grab and run, including non-perishable foods and water). Know where you are going to go. Do you have family or friends you can stay with? Call them now to confirm so you don’t have to scramble and fight for hotel space. Having a plan in place will help you to maintain your calm and be prepared.

Mortgage

CMHC encourages homeowners to contact their financial institution at the first sign of difficulty to discuss their individual situations and options.

CMHC provides lenders with options for homeowners that may be impacted by these unfortunate events including:

• Deferral of payment
• Re-amortization of the loan, to result in lower payments
• Capitalization of outstanding interest arrears and other eligible expenses
• Special payment arrangements
• A combination of the above

For more information, homeowners may consult “How to Deal with Mortgage Payment Difficulties”.